A backyard ultra simulation should be much more than an overnight long run.
In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, we break down how to use a backyard simulation as a skills test, not a fitness test. The goal isn't to see how many yards you can complete. It's to collect data, create problems, practice solving them, and eliminate as many unknowns as possible before race day.
We dive into:
- How to practice backyard-specific pacing and conserve energy early
- Why the fastest runner on the course early in the race may not be the one who goes the furthest
- How to practice shorter camp turnarounds without panicking
- Creating an efficient, repeatable camp and transition routine
- Nutrition and hydration experiments, including what sounds good at 2 a.m.
- Why foot care should be preventative, not reactive
- Practicing night running when you're already fatigued
- Testing your gear, lighting, clothing, shoes, and entire camp setup
- How to use crew as an extension of your brain
- What to do when your carefully planned strategy inevitably goes wrong
- Why backyard racing rewards runners who can problem-solve quickly
- Questions to ask yourself after a simulation to identify your biggest weaknesses
- How to determine what would stop you first if the simulation kept going
Most importantly, we'll talk about the mindset shift that changes how you approach a simulation:
Your goal isn't to see how fast you can cover 4.167 miles. Your goal is to see how little energy you can spend covering 4.167 miles.
The best backyard runners aren't necessarily the ones who show up with the most fitness. They're the ones who show up with the fewest unanswered questions.
It's time to stop guessing and start practicing.
👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.
⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.
📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast
📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com
🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)
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